The Antique Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (APTCAO) is urging resort owners to make their prices affordable to local tourists and to serve native dishes.

APTCAO head Juan Carlos Perlas, who led the launch of Tourism Month on Thursday, said locals make the tourism industry in the province vibrant.

He urged the over 100 resort owners in the province to make their rates for an overnight stay affordable for local tourists, in addition to serving them native dishes.

“To encourage more Antiqueños to have a tour in the different destinations within their home province, we are also launching the tagline Lagaw Ta! (Let’s travel!),” Perlas said in his message.

He said Antique beautiful destinations, especially in the northern part of Antique, near the famous Boracay island of Aklan province.

These destinations located in the northern towns are Malumpati Cold Spring in Pandan and Kawa (cauldron) Hot Bath in Tibiao.

“Tourist resorts are requested to adjust their prices for Antiqueños so they could also afford their accommodation,” he said.

The APTCAO also unveiled the revised version of the book “The Flavors of Antique Await You,” containing heirloom recipes that can guide resort owners.

In his message, Provincial Government Consultant on Tourism Errol Santillan said Antiqueños, through the new tagline, are encouraged to invite their friends from other places.

“We also have many important historical and cultural heritage,” he said.

He cited, as an example, the life-size statues of the 10 Bornean datus in Barangay Malandog, Hamtic, which are significant recollections of the village as the first resettlement site of Malay ancestors in the country. (PNA)